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Dialer Codes Don't Work

I have AT&T S4....SGH-i337 running 4.3, rooted.

When I type that code, it first goes to superuser status screen, but doesn't ask any permissions.
Then if I press press back, the firmware info is there. By the way, it looks like the same info that is also available under settings / more / about device

It's weird to see that su status (not permission) screen. Maybe that dialer code requires root?
 
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I have read several posts referring to entering codes into the dialer to pull up phone info such as entering *#1234# to find out the firmware version.
Every phone I have had in the past has been able to do this but not my S4.
Is this functionality removed from the VZ version of S4 or am I missing a step?

I am quite glad you brought this up AeolianReflex. Entering *#1234# into the dial pad is a stock feature on Samsung phones and is a reliable way of determining the exact model, current stock firmware and precise CSC code. This is very useful for a number of reasons, not least of all when it comes to re-installing stock firmware. However, it seems that some carrier branded phones have disabled this feature in recent releases. Some people think that the Baseband, (the phone's modem details), is the firmware version but this can differ from the stock firmware release.

So far, it would seem that Verizon, US Cellular and T-Mobile (USA only) have this disabled. See, 23 Galaxy S4 models - know yours? thread.

I have AT&T S4....SGH-i337 running 4.3, rooted.

When I type that code, it first goes to superuser status screen, but doesn't ask any permissions.
Then if I press press back, the firmware info is there. By the way, it looks like the same info that is also available under settings / more / about device

It's weird to see that su status (not permission) screen. Maybe that dialer code requires root?

It is not unusual on a rooted phone with SuperSU installed for SuperSU to be brought up first before displaying the, "Version", information.
 
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The code works on an ATT & Sprint S4 that I've tried so I am pretty sure that it is a locked VZ or GSM issue. When I thought back, both phones that didn't work used SIM cards. My original Incredible was the last phone that this actually worked on and it didn't have a SIM card. My Rezound also did not allow the codes to work and it has a SIM card. I guess it's not a big deal but I hate being locked out of functionality that should be included in a phone that I paid for.
 
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The dialler code,*#1234#, as explained in post #3, is an important stock feature on the worldwide, International, GSM models, GT-i9505 and GT-i9500, and other worldwide variants, as the 3 lines of information that it provides under, "Version", determine exactly which of the 80+ worldwide firmwares and CSC codes, (Consumer Software Customisation code), which determine, among other things, language packs and/or carrier/location firmware, apply to that particular phone. This is needed in the event that, say, the firmware needs to be re-flashed to a phone as flashing any firmware other than that intended originally for a particular phone, will invalidate the warranty and prevent future updates via Kies or OTA. This is perhaps deemed as not so important when dealing with a minority carrier variant of the S4, where there is only one carrier based firmware that is related to that particular model, e.g. AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile (US)/MetroPCS, Sprint, US Cellular, C Spire, Cricket, etc:

See also, the example given in, #1.3 of 23 Galaxy S4 models - know yours?

We should not forget that this General Forum deals with 19 of the 23 versions of the Samsung Galaxy S4 and it is important to know as much about the phone as possible before trying to attempt to answer a typical question.

Example of a typical question...

"I have the Samsung Galaxy S4 and cannot get 4G on my phone and Play Store is not working... HELP!"

You can then waste a lot of posts, time and effort offering the usual suggestions on how to enable 4G and get the Google Play Store working.

However, if you have the, "Version", details they may quickly show...

CSC: I9500CHUFML1

This tells you that the phone is the International i9500, octa core, model on Android 4.3 and does not have 4G built-in. Furthermore, it is running CHU firmware for China and therefore the Google Play Store is not present by default.

Hence, my stock post, here, in an effort to determine the model of S4, the firmware and the Android platform it has as this can save a lot of time, trouble and confusion. ;)
 
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Is the info from the dialer code *#1234# any different than what you see pressing settings / more / about device?

(It looks the same to me on my I337)

Hi electricpete!

Well, as mentioned in my previous post in paragraph #1, I doubt that you have a CSC code as the i337, AT&T, variant has only one model version and one language pack and one modem and one kernel to contend with. Therefore, the only choice that the i337 offers on stock firmware, is Android 4.2.2 or Android 4.3 since this is a carrier branded, minority variant, of the global S4's.

You will not face the issues shown in my example question inasmuch as that just by knowing that the phone is an i337 can tell you an awful lot about that particular model and there is no danger of voiding your warranty or not receiving updates via Kies or OTA because you have flashed the incorrect stock firmware or if you have 4G and Play Store. In essence, the model number i337, is it's CSC code.

All too often, as we have seen on this forum, there is a tendency for S4 owners to think that all Galaxy S4's are identical... which they are not. The closest to stock Samsung firmware, will be the unbranded Samsung releases, whilst the carrier branded variants will have an, "adapted", version of this with features, apps, added or removed and in some cases a different UI, kernels, modems and language packs that are unique to that particular model.

Perhaps someone who is on the stock Samsung firmware for, say, the i9505 would be kind enough to post a screenshot of the 3 lines of, "Version", information that are shown after entering *#1234# into the dial pad.
 
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Petrah, no it doesn't reduce the phones functionality that's why I said it's no big deal. It's just the idea of VZ taking away native functions for what appears to be no good reason that bugs me. I could say the same for the screen wrap ability that they negated for whatever reason they saw fit. I still love the S4 and wouldn't trade it for any other phone but it's just plain annoying that carriers do this kind of thing. I guess it could be worse and I could have lost my mobile data toggle like the ATT version :D . Now that would make me rant...
 
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Thanks ironass for your response.

Just to confirm: even though there is a boatload of info in settings, (model number, android version, baseband version, kernel version three lines long, build number, SELlinux status), this does not always convey the same information that appears after the dialer code *#1234# ?
 
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Thanks ironass for your response.

Just to confirm: even though there is a boatload of info in settings, (model number, android version, baseband version, kernel version three lines long, build number, SELlinux status), this does not always convey the same information that appears after the dialer code *#1234# ?

That is the only way to obtain the CSC, (Consumer Software Customisation code), region/carrier code mentioned in post #11 for global models. It is the code that Samsung engineers use to determine the precise firmware for a phone.

Here is just one example below and is for the International, GT-i9505, firmware for Brazil. The firmwares are identical except that one is for the carrier branded Claro, another is for TIM, another is for Oi and the other for VIVO. Flashing the wrong firmware will prevent future updates via Kies or OTA and can invalidate the warranty.

Model: GT-I9505
Country: Brazil (Claro)
Version: Android 4.3
Changelist: 2210919
Build date: Wed, 27 Nov 2013 16:20:26 +0000
Product Code: ZTA
PDA: I9505VJUEMKE
CSC: I9505ZTAEMKE
MODEM: I9505VJUEMKE


Model: GT-I9505
Country: Brazil (VIVO)
Version: Android 4.3
Changelist: 2210919
Build date: Wed, 27 Nov 2013 16:20:26 +0000
Product Code: ZVV
PDA: I9505VJUEMKE
CSC: I9505ZVVEMKE
MODEM: I9505VJUEMKE


Model: GT-I9505
Country: Brazil (TIM)
Version: Android 4.3
Changelist: 2210919
Build date: Wed, 27 Nov 2013 16:20:26 +0000
Product Code: ZTM
PDA: I9505VJUEMKE
CSC: I9505ZTMEMKE
MODEM: I9505VJUEMKE


Model: GT-I9505
Country: Brazil (Oi)
Version: Android 4.3
Changelist: 2210919
Build date: Wed, 27 Nov 2013 16:20:26 +0000
Product Code: ZTR
PDA: I9505VJUEMKE
CSC: I9505ZTREMKE
MODEM: I9505VJUEMKE


As you can see, both their PDA and Modem, (baseband), codes are identical as is their Android version, kernel build and all other information. The only thing that tells you the difference between these 4 firmwares is the CSC code which is found by going into the dial pad, as mentioned. Asking the posters carrier is not really an option as they could have a non carrier branded, Brazilian, (or other), model.

Below is a list of firmwares that appear if I enter the specific phone build model, i9505, the area, South America, (VJU), and even the specific Android 4.3 Build number (E)MKE. The only thing separating these firmwares is the CSC code...



Contrast the above with, say, the U.S. variant for the carrier Cricket which is model number SCH-R970C...



So long as the full model number is entered there is no question as to the firmware or a need for a CSC code.

If, I instead, enter SCH-R970, which is the US Cellular model number the firmware is shown as distinctly separate from the Cricket, SCH-970C and the C Spire, SCH-R970X, (shown as Unknown in this example!).



So, as you can see, the CSC code is not important on these minority variants as the model number is in essence, the CSC code which is only shown by entering *#1234# into the dial pad.

I blooming well hope that that answers your question electricpete! ;)
 
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They work on the International models which are all GSM.
Hi, do you have to have SIM card in your phone for certain codes to work? I know that if they don't work it's because they are not meant for your phone or Android version, but if you checked all that, but they still won't work, could it be because there is no SIM card? Thanks in advance for your help. :)
 
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I have a samsung j3 367 orbit..total wireless (verizon fimware) and I can access dialer code *#1234#...it takes to firmware info...But when I try any other code it will access service menu with nothing to choose from..all lines are blank..I have dot dot dot options in upper lft corner or watever..exit,select,row,back,fwd,wifi...Is there some way for me to unblock or get other options to show up?
 
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